Orlando, Florida, is one of America's fastest-growing cities, with more than two million people in the metro area. Orlando's many attractions include water parks and theme parks like Universal Studios, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Walt Disney World. During the month of November, the city hosts biking and physical fitness events, adventure races and holiday celebrations.
Triathlon
The Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World hosts the TriRock Orlando Triathlon at Clementine Beach. Entrants swim 500 meters, bike 20 kilometers and run 5 kilometers to the finish line. The event's website encourages both beginners and those with triathlon experience to participate. If you finish in the top three in a particular age group you'll receive a medal. This family-friendly triathlon also features a "splash n dash" quarter-mile event for kids.
Biking
Good weather makes Orlando a good place to bike any time of year. The city has a number of established trails such as the Cross Seminole Trail and Little Econ Trail, as well as several others currently in the process of expansion. Orlando has its share of biking events. The Horrible Hundred is an annual 100-mile ride in November organized by the Florida Freewheelers. The challenging race has been going strong for more than 30 years.
Parks
For some less-strenuous outdoor activities, consider Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando that has a 1-mile path for walking or jogging, open fields for tossing a baseball or Frisbee and paddleboat rentals. The annual Fall Fiesta of arts and crafts features a line of booths and vendors stretching around the lake. Admission is free and a special kids' area has an obstacle course and climbing wall.
Adventure Race
More than 30 cities take part in the Urban Dare adventure race. Orlando's event is held in November. The race is a combination of a scavenger hunt, a trivia contest and physical challenges. Teams of two work to discover checkpoints and complete the activity at each, which may range from climbing a wall to solving a puzzle. Events typically last two to four hours and the first team to cross the finish line with evidence of reaching each checkpoint wins.
Holiday Festival
Orlando's holiday celebrations offer visitors a chance to do some walking and enjoy the sights of the holiday season at the same time. The Orlando Museum of Art hosts the week-long Festival of Trees in November. The festival's attractions include rooms of decorated trees and Toyland Town and Gingerbread Village areas. The festival also features entertainment such as caroling, choirs, dance troupes and live jazz music.
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